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Familial Adenomatous Polyposis(FAP)
by
Michael Jubinville, MPH DefinitionFamilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disease that causes hundreds of polyps to form in the colon and rectum.
CausesFAP is caused by a problem in a certain gene. Polyps start growing mainly during the teenage years. Nearly all people with FAP will have polyps by age 35, and colon or rectal cancer found before age 40. Risk FactorsYour chances for FAP are highest if you have other people in your family with the same disease. But, FAP can also happen without anyone in your family having it. This is caused by new changes in the gene. SymptomsYou may not notice any symptoms at first. When they appear, FAP may cause:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You may have:
TreatmentFAP is treated with surgery. Since FAP causes so many polyps, they can’t be removed one by one. The goal of surgery is to remove the part of the colon that contains them. The type depends on how much of the colon has polyps. SurgeryThe 3 main surgical treatments are:
Endoscopy is used to find polyps in the small intestine. This is done through small cuts in the belly. Tubes are placed in the cuts. Tools and lights are inserted into the tubes. Polyps are taken out through the tubes. MedicinesNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) shrink the polyps. They can also keep new ones from forming. PreventionThere is no way to prevent FAP. RESOURCES:American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org United Ostomy Associations of America https://www.ostomy.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca Ostomy Canada Society https://www.ostomycanada.ca References:Familial adenomatous polyposis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed January 29, 2021. Familial adenomatous polyposis. Genetics Home Reference website. Available at: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/familial-adenomatous-polyposis. Accessed January 29, 2021. Jasperson KW, Burt RW. APC-associated polyposis conditions. GeneReviews. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed January 29, 2021. Last reviewed September 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP Last Updated: 1/29/2021 | |